Dental implants are a significant upfront cost — typically £1,500–£3,500 per tooth at UK private clinics. For many patients, financing makes the treatment accessible without the need to save for years. Most UK dental practices now offer payment plans, and 0% interest options over 12–24 months are widely available.
How Dental Implant Financing Works in the UK
Most UK dental practices use a third-party finance provider rather than lending directly. The most common providers are:
- Chrysalis Finance: Widely used by independent dental practices. Offers 0% over 12 months and low-rate finance over 24–60 months.
- Medenta: Specialist dental finance provider. Available at over 2,000 UK dental practices.
- Novuna (formerly Hitachi Capital): Used by some larger dental groups.
- Dental practice in-house plans: Some larger practices offer their own payment plans, typically at 0% for shorter terms.
The finance application is typically done at the practice or online before your treatment begins. Most providers perform a soft credit check initially, followed by a full credit check if you proceed. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on your credit history.
What Are the Monthly Costs?
To give a realistic picture, here are the approximate monthly repayments for a single implant at different price points:
- £2,000 implant at 0% over 12 months: £167/month
- £2,000 implant at 0% over 24 months: £83/month
- £2,500 implant at 0% over 24 months: £104/month
- £3,500 implant at 9.9% APR over 36 months: approx. £112/month
0% deals are typically available for terms up to 12 or 24 months. Longer terms (36–60 months) usually carry an APR of 6–14%. Always check the total amount repayable, not just the monthly figure.
Can I Use a Personal Loan for Dental Implants?
Yes, and for larger treatment costs (multiple implants or full arch), a personal loan can be cheaper than practice-arranged finance. High street banks and comparison sites like MoneySuperMarket allow you to compare rates.
- A loan of £5,000 over 3 years at 6.9% APR costs approximately £153/month — total repayable £5,508
- A loan of £10,000 over 5 years at 6.9% APR costs approximately £196/month — total repayable £11,760
For amounts under £2,000, a 0% purchases credit card (many offer 12–20 months 0% on new purchases) can be the cheapest option — provided you clear the balance before the 0% period ends.
Can the NHS Help with Dental Implant Costs?
NHS dental implants are available only in exceptional clinical circumstances — following trauma, cancer treatment or certain genetic conditions. They are not available for tooth loss due to decay or gum disease, which accounts for the vast majority of cases.
There is no NHS financing scheme for private dental treatment. Some local authorities and charities (such as Smile Together in Cornwall or the Dental Access Centres network) provide subsidised care for low-income patients, but implants are rarely included.
Red Flags to Watch in Dental Finance Agreements
- Very high APR (above 20%) on any plan marketed as affordable
- Pressure to sign a finance agreement at the first consultation before you have time to compare
- Finance tied to a specific treatment plan that cannot be adjusted
- Balloon payments or large final payments not clearly disclosed
- Early repayment penalties — most dental finance has none, but check
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get dental implants on a payment plan in the UK?
Yes. Most UK private dental clinics offer finance through providers such as Chrysalis Finance or Medenta. 0% interest over 12–24 months is widely available, with longer terms at 6–14% APR.
What is the monthly cost of financing a dental implant?
For a single implant at £2,500 on 0% finance over 24 months, the monthly cost is approximately £104. At £2,000 over 12 months at 0%, it is £167/month. Longer terms with interest will cost more overall.
Is it better to use dental practice finance or a personal loan?
For amounts over £5,000 (multiple implants), a personal loan from a bank or comparison site is often cheaper. For a single implant, the 0% terms offered by practices can be hard to beat if you can clear within 12–24 months.
Can I get dental implants on the NHS?
Only in exceptional clinical circumstances — primarily following trauma, cancer treatment or specific medical conditions. NHS implants are not available for the routine tooth loss that affects most patients seeking implants.